SUMMARY

SUMMARY

IDENTIFICATION

SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)

Gadus macrocephalus

SPECIES NAME(s)

Pacific cod

COMMON NAMES

cod, gray cod, P-cod, codfish

Pacific cod in the eastern North Pacific are distributed from the Pacific Rim and southward to Southern California (Gustafson 2000). Pacific cod belonging to this “North American” stock group (Grant et al. 1987) have been understood to be more genetically homogeneous relative to their western North Pacific counterpart, known as the “Asian” stock group. Significant migration of Pacific cod is known to occur within and between the Eastern Bering Sea (EBS), Aleutian Islands (AI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) regions. However, a body of research performed since Grant et al.’s 1987 analysis indicates that genetically distinct stocks do exist in the EBS and the AI region (Thompson 2014). Beginning in 2013, these two stocks have been assessed independently (Thompson 2013; Thompson and Palsson 2013), and Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) are no longer managed as a single unit. As such, there are now two unique FishSource profiles dedicated to these units; the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod profile can be found here. There is an additional Alaskan profile group for Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska . There are also commercially managed fisheries in Canada in Hecate Straight, Queen Charlotte Sound, and the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

ANALYSIS

Strengths

Spawning biomass for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands cod has been maintaining above its target level in recent years, and is expected to continue increasing. Total allowable catches are consistantly set below scientists’ acceptable biological catch limits (limits were 239 and 255 t respectively for 2015), and catch compliance has been strong. The fishery is independently monitored and reviewed to maintain MSC certification held by some participants. Management measures are in place to limit impacts on protected species and habitats. Research is continuing to evaluate effectiveness of those protective measures, and the need for additional measures.

The bottom trawl fishery for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and ALeutian Islands (BSAI) is MSC certified.

Weaknesses

1) Cod fisheries may compete with Steller sea lions for food (however, this potential impact is mitigated by management measures). 2) Compopnents of the fishery employ bottom contact gear, which can damage benthic habitats (however, there are protections and limitations in place to mitigate those impacts). 3) Budget cuts in past years limited portions of the normal stock assessment surveys. Analysis indicates that further reductions in survey effort will hinder groundfish management capabilities, with potential adverse impacts to the biological and economical stability of the fishery. 4) Oceanographic research indicates that acidification (driven by global CO2 emissions) is progressing rapidly in the Bering Sea and other high-latitude waters, potentially undercutting future fishery productivity.

Options

1) Support ongoing research to assess the vulnerability of ecologically sensitive areas, and any further provisions (if needed) to adequately preserve critical areas. 2) Advocate restoration of survey funding to ensure a firm scientific foundation for fishery management. 3) Support monitoring and research on ocean acidification and its potential impacts on fisheries in Alaska, and policies to restrain the emissions that drive this problem.

FISHSOURCE SCORES

Management Quality:

Management Strategy:

10

Managers Compliance:

10

Fishers Compliance:

10

Stock Health:

Current Health:

9

Future Health:

7.5

RECOMMENDATIONS

CATCHERS & REGULATORS

1. Monitor fishery and management system for any changes that could jeopardize MSC re-certification.

RETAILERS & SUPPLY CHAIN

1. Support the sustainability achievements of this fishery by sourcing this product, and ensure that the producers are aware that sustainability certification played a role in your decision to source this product.

FIPS

No related FIPs

CERTIFICATIONS

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pacific cod:

MSC Recertified

Fisheries

Within FishSource, the term "fishery" is used to indicate each unique combination of a flag country with a fishing gear, operating within a particular management unit, upon a resource. That resource may have a known biological stock structure and/or may be assessed at another level for practical or jurisdictional reasons. A fishery is the finest scale of resolution captured in FishSource profiles, as it is generally the scale at which sustainability can most fairly and practically be evaluated.

Analysis

OVERVIEW

Strengths

Spawning biomass for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands cod has been maintaining above its target level in recent years, and is expected to continue increasing. Total allowable catches are consistantly set below scientists’ acceptable biological catch limits (limits were 239 and 255 t respectively for 2015), and catch compliance has been strong. The fishery is independently monitored and reviewed to maintain MSC certification held by some participants. Management measures are in place to limit impacts on protected species and habitats. Research is continuing to evaluate effectiveness of those protective measures, and the need for additional measures.

US Alaska

United States

Bottom trawls

The bottom trawl fishery for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and ALeutian Islands (BSAI) is MSC certified.

Weaknesses

1) Cod fisheries may compete with Steller sea lions for food (however, this potential impact is mitigated by management measures). 2) Compopnents of the fishery employ bottom contact gear, which can damage benthic habitats (however, there are protections and limitations in place to mitigate those impacts). 3) Budget cuts in past years limited portions of the normal stock assessment surveys. Analysis indicates that further reductions in survey effort will hinder groundfish management capabilities, with potential adverse impacts to the biological and economical stability of the fishery. 4) Oceanographic research indicates that acidification (driven by global CO2 emissions) is progressing rapidly in the Bering Sea and other high-latitude waters, potentially undercutting future fishery productivity.

Options

1) Support ongoing research to assess the vulnerability of ecologically sensitive areas, and any further provisions (if needed) to adequately preserve critical areas. 2) Advocate restoration of survey funding to ensure a firm scientific foundation for fishery management. 3) Support monitoring and research on ocean acidification and its potential impacts on fisheries in Alaska, and policies to restrain the emissions that drive this problem.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Last updated on 28 June 2016

Improvement Recommendations to Catchers & Regulators

1. Monitor fishery and management system for any changes that could jeopardize MSC re-certification.

Recommendations to Retailers & Supply Chain

1. Support the sustainability achievements of this fishery by sourcing this product, and ensure that the producers are aware that sustainability certification played a role in your decision to source this product.

1.STOCK STATUS

STOCK ASSESSMENT

Last updated on 2 January 2014

The age-structured assessment model for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Pacific cod is regularly reviewed by experts (Oliveira 2011). Results and methods are publicly available. Regular surveys and extensive research increase the robustness of assessments. The 2012 assessment (Thompson and Lauth 2012) incorporated results from 14 models designed to address issues raised by scientists, industry and others— some with age-composition data, some without. From this basket of options, the authors recommended primary reliance on model 1.

Components of the Alaska Fishery Science Center’s (AFSC’s) groundfish surveys, which provide much of the data for stock assessments, are sometimes hampered due to funding shortages (AFSC 2013). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has consistantly identified annual and biennial surveys, conducted by both state and federal entities, as a highest priority in light of ongoing federal budget cuts (NPFMC 2010-2013). In a recent analysis, the AFSC (AFSC 2013) determined that further reductions in survey effort will hinder the ability to adequately manage groundfish stocks, with potential losses to protection of stocks and ecosystems and reductions in fishery revenue.

The 2012 assessment results projected total biomass for 2013 at 1,720,000 t (Thompson 2013), slightly above the estimated biomass for 2012 (1,690,000). Female spawning biomass for 2013 is projected slightly lower by the 2012 assessment than as predicted by the prior assessment, at 422,000 t instead of 437,000 t.

SCIENTIFIC ADVICE

Last updated on 16 December 2013

BSAI cod is designated as a Tier 3 stock. This designation recognizes uncertainties in scientific understanding of the stock, and establishes quantitative guidance for handling them, generally producing more conservative advice on harvest limits than would apply for Tier 1 or Tier 2 stocks. Tier 3 status applies to stocks for which it is possible to reliably estimate reference points for spawning per recruit but not for maximum sustainable yield (for further detail, see Reference Points section).

Scientists’ advised fishing mortality level (‘F’ pertaining to the maximum acceptable biological catch, or ‘ABC’) for 2013 (F=0.29) complies with the harvest policy for the current biomass level (Thompson and Lauth 2012). This yields an advised maximum catch limit (the ABC) of 307,000 t for 2013. This is 2% below the 2012 ABC but well above the average of annual ABC’s over the prior decade (199,420 t between 2001 and 2011). The uptick in ABC levels over recent years is driven by the contribution of several strong year classes (2006, 2008, 2010 and likely 2011) to the spawning stock biomass, and a similar trend is expected to continue.

The fishery is regularly audited by outside experts to maintain its Marine Stewardship Council certification and assess precaution in setting harvest limits. The harvest policy includes multiple measures to reduce potential for overfishing. The harvest policy requires a decrease in F when biomass declines below target level.

Reference Points

Last updated on 16 Dec 2013

Reference points for biomass and fishing mortality are reported in the 2012 SAFE report (Thompson and Lauth 2012) as follows, based on Model 1 estimates:

For the BSAI region as a whole:

B100% = 896,000 t

B40% = 358,000 t

B35% = 314,000 t

Female spawning biomass = 422,000

FABC = 0.29. This is the maximum fishing mortality rate advised by scientists.

FOFL = 0.34. This is the fishing mortality rate that would constitute overfishing.

Biomass target reference point (Btrp) = B40%, (358,000 t in 2013). As a Tier 3a stock under the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s harvest policy, BSAI Pacific cod is managed to a biomass target of B40%.

Blim = B20%.

For the Eastern Bering Sea alone, the 2012 assessment estimates B100% to be 833,000 t, B40% to be 333,000 t, and B35% to be 292,000 t.

BSAI cod is managed under Tier 3b of Amendment 56 to the NPFMC’s groundfish management plan.

Target biomass level: B40%. When the stock is below this level, the harvest policy reduces exploitation rates to restore abundance.

Limit reference poin : B35%.

Should the stock fall below B20%, the harvest policy requires closure of the fishery.

Reference points for fishing mortality correspond to those for biomass. Removals are capped at max FABC, which rises to a maximum of F40% when the stock is at or above B40%. F35% is defined as an overfishing level.

Below B20%, directed fishing for cod would cease, and harvest would be restricted to incidental catch taken by other groundfish fisheries. This measure is intended to ensure that sufficient cod are left to support foraging by Steller sea lions, which are endangered in this region.

CURRENT STATUS

Last updated on 16 February 2010

At 422,000 t, spawning biomass for BSAI cod is above its target level and expected to increase, given the contribution of fish from several strong year classes that will continue to reach reproductive age over the next several years (Thompson and Lauth 2012).

To ensure that they avoid the B20% lower limit, managers and their scientific advisors have asked the assessment authors to estimate the odds that the stock could fall below that limit three to five years in the future. Models from the 2012 stock assessment place the odds of spawning biomass falling below this limit at virtually zero over the next several years.

Trends

Last updated on 16 Feb 2010

According to the long-running bottom trawl survey results, Pacific cod survey biomass in the Bering Sea peaked in 1994, then declined steadily through 1998, flattened off for a few years, then dropped further in from 2005 to 2008, largely due to what assessment authors describe as “a string of five sub-par year-classes spawned from 2001-2005” (Thompson et al. 2009, p 261).

In 2009 the survey biomass estimate of 421,000 t was up 4% from 2008, and the survey indicated a surge in numbers of fish on the shelf, with an estimated 717 million individual cod estimated, up 50% from 2008 (Thompson et al. 2009).

Based on estimates from the 2012 stock assessment (Thompson and Lauth 2012), 4 of the 9 largest year classes ever occurred during the 2006-2011 time series. If preliminary biomass estimates for the most recent years hold, the trend of relatively higher acceptable biological catch levels can be expected to continue over the next several years.

2.MANAGEMENT QUALITY

MANAGEMENT

Last updated on 2 January 2014

Following recommendations made by the NPFMC in December 2012, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) set the season’s TAC for BSAI Pacific cod at 260,000 t (NOAA 2013a), well below the 2012 stock assessments’ 2013 ABC of 307,000 t (Thompson and Lauth 2012). The TAC is consistantly set below limits advised by scientists, averaging 83% of the ABC between 1980 and 2012. Since 2006, the annual TAC has been reduced to accommodate a guideline harvest limit (GHL) of 3% established for state managed fisheries inside state of Alaska waters.

Groundfish stocks are broadly covered under federal management authority; however the state of Alaska manages Pacific cod fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the BSAI under two scenarios. During the federally managed fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the state of Alaska concurrently administers management of Pacific cod fisheries within state waters (EEZ) (Woodby et al. 2005). These “parallel fisheries” are subjected to most of the same management actions and guidelines as the federal fishery, and harvests in both the federally prosecuted and parallel state fisheries apply toward the total allowable catch (TAC) set by the NPMFC. Vessels participating in the parallel fishery must be state-registered, but are not required to hold federal fishing permits; as such, these vessels are not subject to federal requirements pertaining to logbooks and observer coverage (Stichert 2012). Independently managed state fisheries were established in the sate waters of the GOA in 1997 (Woodby et al. 2005) and the BSAI in 2006 (Fitch 2011). Introduction of these additional fisheries brought changes in jurisdiction authority, catcher participation and distribution of the total catch allocation for the GOA and on a smaller scale for the BSAI. Management plans for state fisheries are developed through the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) process, and Guideline Harvest Limits (GHL’s) are set based on a percentage of the federal ABC established by the NMFS (Woodby et al. 2005). State-run fisheries generally begin following the closure of the federal and parallel fisheries. Since the onset of the state-run fishery, the total combined target catch (federal TAC plus state GHL) has never been exceeded (Thompson and Lauth 2012).

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) consistently has been set at or below the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), which represents scientists’ recommended upper limit on removals. During 1980-2007, “TAC averaged about 79% of ABC,” assessment authors observe. The MSC gave the fishery a high score of 90 for management that adheres to scientific advice, because “the Council … does not set the ABC above that recommended by its scientific advisors”.

The NPFMC and its Scientific and Statistical Committee frequently request additional research when uncertainties surface suspected inadequacies are found in existing data, practices, or models. Quota setting decisions for groundfish species including cod are governed by policies that increase precaution in proportion to uncertainty and risk —both in the health of fish stocks themselves and in the scientific stock assessments that are used to guide management. Among other measures, the council’s amendment 56 sets mathematical guidelines that effectively ratchet down exploitation strategies when uncertainty and risk increase. In addition, the council’s Optimum Yield policy caps total removals of all groundfish from the U.S. Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands at 2 million t annually. This policy generally reduces allowed groundfish harvests to levels well below the limits recommended by scientists. A review of the OY policy (Meuter, 2005) found that the cap keeps overall groundfish catches at about half the level that might be permitted under a regime of simplistic MSY catch limits.

Under the council’s harvest control rule for this stock, harvest rates are constrained at all times well below F35%. While managers of many similar fisheries around the world use this rate as a target, in BSAI cod it is designated as an “overfishing level” of fishing mortality. When the stock is above B40%, harvest rates at the maximum Acceptable Biological Catch are capped so that removals should always be significantly smaller than F35% level removals. When biomass drops below B40%, the Maximum ABC harvest rate is reduced proportionately. Should the resource drop below B20%, directed fishing for cod would cease.

Recovery Plans

Last updated on 02 Jan 2014

Not applicable. The stock is neither overfished (depleted) nor subject to overfishing, according to stock assessment (Thompson and Lauth 2012).

COMPLIANCE

Last updated on 16 December 2013

Pacific cod catches in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands have been well controlled, keeping catch consistently within the TAC. Between 1980 and 2005, catches exceeded the TAC in only 5 years, by a margin of 5% or less in all but one year (1992). Since the onset of the state-run fishery, the total combined target catch (federal TAC plus state GHL) has never been exceeded. The time series of ABC, TAC and catch for BSAI Pacific cod since 1980 is documented in Table 2.3 of the 2012 SAFE report (Thompson and Lauth 2012).

Compliance is supported by extensive use of observers on board vessels, stringent record-keeping and reporting requirements, VMS location broadcasting devices on most cod fishing vessels, and enforcement. For all but three years over the past two decades, catches of BSAI Pacific cod have been less than established TACs (Thompson 2015). In those three years, the catch exceeded the established quota by 2% or less.

3.ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY

BYCATCH

ETP Species

Last updated on 3 January 2014

Management measures are in place to limit impacts on protected species, including Stellar sea lions and some seabirds. These efforts undergo periodic review to ensure they work as intended.

Impacts on Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed Steller sea lions are a concern in both the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering and Sea Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish fishery management areas. Two distinct population segments (DPS’s), the eastern U.S. and western U.S. segments, are distributed on either side of a boundary extending southeast from Cape Suckling, Alaska (NMFS 2013c). Both populations were listed under the ESA in 1990 (NMFS 2013d); however, the eastern population was delisted in 2013 (NOAA 2013a). The western population retains its listed status.

While the risk of encounters with marine mammals in the GOA and BSAI fisheries is considered remote (NOAA 2011), there is potential for these fisheries to reduce availability of prey items important to Steller sea lion survival (Thompson and Lauth 2012). Studies indicate that Pacific cod in these areas are a key prey species for Steller sea lions, particularly in winter (Calkins 1998; Sinclair and Zeppelin 2002). The fishery operates to a degree in Steller sea lion foraging areas, and overlap in size range of Pacific cod exploited by commercial fisheries and consumed by Steller sea lions has been documented (Livingston 2002; NMFS 2010). As a protective measure, the National Marine Fisheries Service disperses fishing over time and area to avoid impacting key foraging times and locations (haulouts and rookeries) (NMFS 2012); there are similar measures in place for state managed fisheries (NMFS 2010). For federal and parallel state fisheries managed for Total Allowable Catch (TAC), directed fishing on Steller sea lion prey species is prohibited if biomass is projected to decline below B20% (20% of equilibrium spawning biomass) (NPFMC 2013b).

In 2010, NMFS reviewed fishery management actions in the GOA and BSAI to re-assess their impacts on ESA listed species. The result was a draft revised biological opinion concluding that fishing activities operating under the existing fishery management plan were likely to adversely modify the critical habitat of the western DPS of Steller sea lions and jeopardize its existence (NMFS 2010). Based on the analysis, revised protection measures were recommended in three BSAI federal fishing areas selected based on severity of declines in sea lion abundance, importance of habitat and magnitude of fishery impact. No additional protection measures were recommended for the GOA fisheries. Several alternatives to these recommendations, including a preferred alternative with more reduced BSAI fishery closures were outlined in a 2013 draft environmental impact statement (NMFS 2013b). A finalized EIS is expected in 2014.

Seabirds are incidentally impacted by all gear types, and the fishery has the potential to interact with the endangered short-tailed albatross(Phoebastria albatrus) and the threatened Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) (Mohn et al. 2010]. Limits have been determined for the short-tailed albatross: the current ESA Biological Opinion allows for four over a two-year period. Between 2003 and 2012, captures of short-tailed albatross were only recorded in 2010 (2 mortalities) and 2011 (one mortality). No captures of Steller’s eiders were recorded (Zador 2013). Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), are captured much more frequently; and while not endangered, they are listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Zador 2013). This designation implies that this species is likely to become listed under the Endangered Species Act if further protective measures are not implimented. Other PET species potentially caught include Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris), Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmorata), and Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris), although very low numbers or none of these have been reported caught. To mitigate the fishery’s seabird interactions, regulations require longline vessels longer than 60 feet to fly streamer lines of a specific design above their gear, which discourages birds from diving on the baited hooks during setting.

Closed areas are enforced around seabird breeding grounds and longline vessels have introduced devices, especially streamer lines, which have significantly reduced seabird bycatch (Mohn et al., 2010; Zador 2013). These devices are required of longline vessels longer than 60 feet, and serve to discourage birds form diving on the baited hooks during setting. Marine Stewardship Council certification conditions requiring that 1) the interaction of the trawl fishery with seabirds be further explored, 2) that seabird bycatch by the longline sector be determined to the species level, and 3) that impacts of the longline fishery on skate species be determined, were resolved as of the 2012 Gulf of Alaska pacific cod surveillance audit (Rice et al. 2012).

Other Species

Last updated on 2 January 2014

Discards of target and non-target species are monitored by observers and reported publicly. Stock assessment reports tabulate this data (see Tables 2.2 and 2.36 – 2.40 in Thompson and Lauth, 2012, for most recent numbers as of December 2013). Thompson et al. (2009) reports noted that the impact of bycatch of non-target species (or "incidental catch) on the ecosystem is not well understood, but that only eight species or species groups accounted for an average of more than 1,000 t of discards on average between 2005-2009. Ecology of bycaught species, including “estimation of biomass, carrying capacity, and resilience”, has consistently been identified as a data gap in stock assessment reports (Thompson et al. 2009 and 2010; Thompson and Lauth 2011 and 2012; Thompson 2013; Thompson and Palsson 2013).

Bycatch in the longline fishery is dominated by a small number of species. Skates represent the vast bulk of fish bycatch. The estimated take for 2010 in the Alaskan federal groundfish fisheries (Preliminary Seabird bycatch Estimates for Alaskan Groundfish Fisheries, 2007-2010.) was 4,596 total birds. Of these 2,357 or 51% were Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), 1,141 or 25% were unidentified gulls, and 647 or 14% were unidentified shearwaters.

Seabird catches have declined recently, with half as many birds caught in 2010 as in 2007, due to the introduction in 2002 of paired bird-scaring streamer lines.

HABITAT

Last updated on 3 January 2014

Gears used in this fishery include “bottom contact” types, i.e.: nonpelagic trawl, pot, and hook-and-line gear. Bottom trawls, and to a lesser extent pots and longlines, may disrupt seabed habitat. Managers have responded to this risk and other concerns by closing large areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) to bottom contact gear (see below under Marine Reserves). Since the early 1990’s an overall decreasing trend has been observed with respect to the amount of potential area disturbed by bottom trawling (Zador 2013). The 2012 ecosystem assessment for the BSAI reported that in 2011, the maximum potential area of seafloor habitat disturbed by bottom trawling decreased dramatically in portions of the Aleutians Islands region (Zador 2012). In the same year, estimates for the Bering Sea region were the largest since 1998; however a slight decrease was estimated for 2012 (Zador 2013).

The productivity of the Bering Sea environment is highly influenced by sea temperature. In 2012, the eastern Bering Sea returned to a more favorable pattern of cooler temperatures similar to those observed between 2007 and 2010 (Zador 2013). Biomass of upper trophic level species in recent years has been increasing and remains above the long-term average. Strong year-classes of Pacific cod as well as pollock since 2006 have contributed to this effect. A peak in zooplankton biomass was indicated in 2009; however overall abundance appears to have been decreasing since that time. Increased abundance of pelagic forage fish and jellyfish may be associated with this trend (Zador 2012 and 2013).

Increasing ocean acidification holds uncertain implications for this fishery, but Arctic and sub-Arctic seas are experiencing rapid change and some may be close to “tipping points” in ocean chemistry. “High latitude seas are a bellwether for prospective impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms at mid and low latitudes,” write Fabry et al (2009) in an article summarizing recent research on this matter. Rising emissions of carbon dioxide, primarily from smokestacks and tailpipes, are driving this change in ocean chemistry as the gas mixes into seawater.

Fishery effects on the ecosystem are explicitly considered in the stock assessment and management advice. Main concerns identified by assessors during the most recent Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process (Mohn et al. 2010) included the potential for removal of prey needed by other species (e.g. Steller sea lions), gear impacts on habitat, bycatch mortality, and “ghost fishing” by lost gear. However, management action in response to these concerns has been sufficient to the extent that there are no outstanding MSC certification conditions associated with the fishery (Rice et al. 2013).

The Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Area and Bristol Bay nearshore waters are closed to all trawling, including pelagic gear. A map of these and other closed areas may be found at the following NOAA website: Bering Sea Habitat Conservation. See figure ES 1.

Major ecological changes are occurring in the Bering Sea, in part due to climate change. The stock assessment takes account of pollock’s temperature-bound habitat preferences.

Marine Reserves

Last updated on 03 Jan 2014

Many areas in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) are closed to bottom trawls as well as other gears as a means of mitigating impacts to habitat, endangered species and unintended bycatch (Zador 2013). Closures intended to protect benthic habitat tend to be year-round, whereas those intended to minimize bycatch or impacts to seabirds and marine mammals are designed to be either year-round, seasonal or dependent on triggers related to catch statistics. New closures have been added over time and as recently as 2011. Some of these, such as those contained within the Arctic Fisheries Management plan and the Northern Bering Sea Research Area guidelines are designed to be in place until sufficient new information exists to allow sustainable fisheries management (NPFMC 2013c).

In sum, there are presently approximately 736,000 nm2 in the BSAI that are potentially subject to bottom trawling closures (Zador 2013). These include 497,000 nm2 that are closed year round either to bottom trawling alone or in combination with additional fishing activities. The remaining roughly 239,000 nm2 are closed either seasonally or as necessary based on triggers. Bottom trawling is also prohibited in most state waters (0-3 mmi from shore).

Early measures to protect Steller seal lions began in 1991 with restrictions on fishing within waters near rookeries and haul outs. More specific closures intended to prevent depletion of prey supplies for Steller sea lions were implemented in 2000, and by 2001 over 90,000 nm2 of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) were closed to trawling year-round. Additional mitigation for sea lions occurred in 2011, when substantial parts of the Aleutian Islands were closed to trawling for Atka mackerel and Pacific cod (the predominant target species in those areas) as well as longlining for Pacific cod.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) established the Aleutian Habitat Conservation Area in 2006, prohibiting bottom trawling fishing methods in an area of 279,114 square miles. This measure was intended to protect vulnerable corals, sponges, and other benthic species (NPFMC 2013c). Smaller additional “habitat areas of particular concern” (HAPCs) were closed to a variety of bottom contact gear in order to protect areas of high density coral aggregations.

In 2008, the NPFMC implemented new measures in the form of year-round closures to bottom trawling in several areas of the Bering Sea. This precautionary freeze on bottom trawling was intended to preserve benthic fish habitat while research plans were developed. At this time, the NPFMC also established the Northern Bering Sea Research Area including the shelf waters to the north of St. Matthew Island (85,000 nm2).

A new fishery management plan for the Arctic implemented in 2009 established additional closures to all commercial fishing in an area totaling nearly 150,000 nm2 (Zador 2013). Some eastern Bering Sea waters are encompassed in the area. This measure is intended to freeze commercial fishing while the effects on commercial fisheries from warming ocean temperatures, migrating fish stocks and shifting sea ice conditions from a changing climate are investigated (NPFMC 2013c).

A synopsis of the above protections and others throughout Alaska can be found at the NPFMC’s “habitat protections” page.

In addition, to the already protected areas in the BSAI, recent concern has been addressed toward canyon habitat along the Bering Sea continental shelf, collectively known as the Bering Sea Canyons (NMFS 2013a). At the NPFMC’s June 2013 meeting, Greenpeace and other environmental groups asked the NPFMC to protect two of these canyons, the Zhemchung and Pribilof canyons (AJC 2013). In response to testimony at this meeting as well as information from a scientific review by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists (Sigler et al. 2013, draft ), the council passed a motion to proactively pursue further research on the Bering Sea canyons (NMFS 2013a). The motion contained steps to “identify and validate where necessary areas of coral concentrations for possible management measures for the conservation and management of deep sea corals in Pribilof and Zhemchug canyons”. NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center has posted an overview of their research plans for the canyons (Rooper et al. 2013), which is available here.

FishSource Scores

MANAGEMENT QUALITY

As calculated for 2015 data.

The score is 10.0.

This measures the F at low biomass as a percentage of the F management target.

To see data for fishing mortality, please view this site on a desktop.

No data available for recruitment

No data available for recruitment

To see data for management quality, please view this site on a desktop.

To see data for stock status, please view this site on a desktop.

DATA NOTES

Unless otherwise noted below, data are taken from Thompson 2015.

Notes: 1) Advised TAC (ABC), set TAC and catch series are for all gears. 2) Spawning stock biomass (SSB), Fishing mortality and biological reference points estimates are from assessment authors’ recommended model (model 11.5, the "base model") (Thompson 2015). 3) Biomass reference points from the 2015 assessment (Thompson 2015) are extended back over the entire time series for comparative purposes. 4) B20% is set as 20% of the latest estimate of equilibrium unfished SSB (B100%). 5) For scores calculation purposes, catches in the scores datasheet refer only to federal catches. 6) Harvest specifications (ABCs and TACs) and catches through the year 2013 are for the Eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands combined. 7) Catch statistic for 2015 reflects catches through September 27, 2015. 8) Harvest specifications (ABC and TAC) for 2015 are taken from Federal Register document 81 FR 14773.

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Sources

AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center). 2008a. NPFMC (North Pacific Fishery Management Council) Gulf of Alaska SAFE. Appendix A. Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report for The Groundfish Resources of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Regions. Compiled by The Plan Team for the Groundfish Fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska. December 2008.http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/REFM/docs/2008/BSAIintro.pdf

AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center), 2009. Appendix A. Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for The Groundfish Resources of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Regions. Compiled by The Plan Team for the Groundfish Fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska, November 2009.http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/refm/stocks/assessments.htm